Road working machine



April 22, 1941. Q Lrr 2,239,649

ROAD WORKING MACHINE Filed Dec. 14, 1938 Sheets-Sheet 1 AprilZZ, 1941. c. P. LELITER ROAD WORKING MACHINE Filed Deg. 14, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 22, 1941. c. P. LELITER 2,239,649

ROAD WORKING MACHINE I Filed Dec. 14, 1938 s Sheets-Sheet 3 Y Patented Apr. 22, 1941 ROAD WORKING MACHINE Chester P. Leliter, La Porte, Ind., assignor to Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Application December 14, 1938, Serial No. 245,563

8 Claims.

The invention relates to road working machines and it has to do more particularly with an improved road working attachment for a standard tractor.

One of the dimculties in providing a satisfactory road working attachment for use in connection with a standard tractor is the problem of fitting the road working tool to the tractor in such a manner that the maximum pressure can be applied to it; that it can be adjusted to a plurality of desired working positions, and that it can be raised a substantial distance above the ground for transport purposes. It is the principal object of the invention to provide a road working attachment for a standard tractor, which answers all of these requirements.

More specifically it is an object of the invention to arrange a road working tool within the space between the front and rear wheels of a standard tractor and to provide improved mounting means for the tool, which permit maximum ground clearance of the tool for transport purposes.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved mounting means for a road working tool, which permit angular adjustment of the tool relative to the direction of propulsion of the machine. In this connection it is a further object of the invention to provide for horizontally angular adjustment of a scraper blade in the space between the front and rear wheels of a road grader in such a manner that the blade base of the machine varies as the blade is adjusted from a rectangular position relative to the direction of propulsion to an acute-angle position either to the right or left. Preferably the arrangement is such as to make the blade base a maximum when the blade is adjusted to its rectangular position, and the maximum blade base is so proportioned to the wheel base of the grader as to locate the rectangularly positioned blade at a point between the front and rear wheels where a maximum downward pressure may be applied thereto.

Still another objectof the invention is to provide an improved road working attachment for a standard wheeled tractor, which is simple and compact in construction, efficient in operation, and which may be manufactured at low costs.

With these objects in view the invention contemplates a rigid attachment frame connected with a forward portion of the tractor for universal movement relative thereto and having an interior unobstructed space adapted to receive portions of the tractor body when the frame is raised about its forward connection with the tractor.

iii)

flange.

The road working tool, such as a grader blade, is connected with the attachment frame at transversely spaced points, and the transversely spaced connections are adjustable longitudinally of the tractor independently of each other for the purpose of adjusting the road working tool angularly relative ,to the direction of propulsion of the tractor.

The foregoing and other features of the invention are hereinafter referred to, and a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to' the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a combined tractor and road working attachment forming a motor grader;

Fig. 2 is a top view of the attachment shown in Fig. 1, the lift mechanism for the grader blade beingomitted in this figure;

Fig. 3 is a view, partly in section, on line III-.III of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a side view of the attachment frame showing the grader blade tiltably mounted thereon. I

Fig. 5 is a side view of another modified connection between the attachment frame and the grader blade, which permits tilting of the grader blade.

' Fig. 6-is a rear view of the tiltable connection shown in Fig. 5.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a standard farm tractor is shown in dotted lines. As shown in Fig. 2 the tractor comprises a rear axle housing I supported on a pair of transversely spaced right and left rear traction wheels 2. Secured to the rear axle housing I are forwardly extending side' channels 3 and 4, the front ends of which are secured to a front steering truck I supported on a single front wheel 1'. A power plant, including a motor, clutch and transmission mechanisms, is mounted between the side channels and the lower portions of the motor crank case HM, clutch housing HH and transmission housing I02 project below the lower edges of the side channels 3 and 4 as shown in Fig. 1. A more detailed description in this connection is believed unnecessary, and for a fuller disclosure of the tractor shown herein reference is made to U. S. Patent 2,073,613, March 16, 1937, C. E. Frudden and W. F. Strehlow, Motor vehicle. The numeral 5, Fig. 1, designates a horizontal-pull plate with a downwardly extending forward Blocks 6 are welded to the downwardly extending flange of plate 5, spaced from each other so as to lie directly in front of the side channels 3 and 4 by which they are engaged so that the forward movement of the tractor is transmitted to the pull plate directly from the side channels. Bolts 8 retain the plate 5 on the side channels 3 and 4 above the front steering truck 1, suitable spacers being interposed between the channels and the plate, and the holes in plate 5 through which the bolts 8 extend are slotted so as to insure thrust transmitting contact between the side channels and the blocks 6. Tie-rods 9 transmit backward movements of the tractor to the pull plate 5. A lug II] is centrally located on the horizontal section of plate 5 and rigidly'held in place thereon, preferably by welding. A

- washer H is welded to an eye bolt l2 to form a collar thereon as shown in Fig. 1, and the eyebolt I2 is journaled in the lug l0 and retained therein against axial displacement in a forward direction by crown nut 3 threaded on the bolt l2 and locked by a cotter pin l5, a washer |4 being inthe ends of the cross-bar l8 and side bars being reinforced by gusset plates 23. The rear ends of the side bars 2| and 22 are rigidly connected by an angular cross-bar 24 and the side bars 2| and 22 and cross-bars l8 and 24 form a rigid open frame, hereinafter referred to as the attachment frame or subframe, which is universally supported at its forward end on the tractor by means of the eye and U-bolts l2 and H. The side bars 2| and. 22 are formed of channel iron, and a ring section or are 25 extends outwardly fromthe vertical web of bar 2|, the arc 25 consisting of a curved angle iron having horizontally and vertically disposed flanges. The vertical flange of are 25 extends upwardly from the horizontal flange and faces a portion of the side bar 2| intermediate the ends of the latter. Arc 25 is welded at its forward end directly to side bar 2| and its rearward portions are rigidly supported at a distance from the side bar 2| by braces 26, 21 and 28. Braces 26 and 28 extend at right angles to the side bar 2|, and brace 21 is rearwardly inclined and extends between the rear end of are 25 and the rear end of side bar 2|. Secured to the side bar 22 and extending outwardly from the vertical web thereof is a ring section or are 26 similar to are 25 consisting of'a curved angle iron and having an outwardly extending horizontal flange and a vertically extending inward flange intermediate the ends of side bar 22. Are 26, like are 25, is welded at its forward end directly to the side bar 22, and its rearward portions are supported at a distance from side bar 22 by braces 29, 39 and 3| corresponding to the braces '20, 21 and 28 of arc 25.

Ball elements 32 and 33 are secured to upright plates 34 and 35, respectively, which are welded to the rear ends of the side bars 2| and 22 and to the horizontal flange of the cross-bar 24. The ball elements 32 and 33 cooperate, respectively, with sockets 38 at the lower ends of adjusting links 36 and 31, Fig. 3, each socket comprising a cap member 39 secured to its respective link by a U-bolt 40. Similar sockets 4| at the upper ends of the links 36 and 31 cooperate with ball elements on lift arms 42 and 43, respectively,

which are rotatably mounted in the upper ends of a U-shaped support generally designated by the reference character 46 and secured to the tractor in a transverse position between the rear axle housing and the transmission housing thereof. The U-shaped support 46 comprises a horizontal bottom member 41 formed of channel iron and a pair of upstanding arms 44 and 45 secured at their lower ends to the crossmember 41 preferably by welding. Each of the upstanding arms 44 and 45 comprises a pair of relatively opposed channel irons 43 and 49, Fig. 1, which are spaced from each other and have their flanges extending inwardly so as to present the smooth web portions of the channel irons 48 and. 49 at the outer sides of the upstanding arms. The tops of each pair of upstanding channel arms 48 and 49 are connected by plates 5| and 52, respectively, suitably secured in place as by welding. The bottom member 41 of the U- shaped support 46 is provided with spacer blocks 53' welded thereto and spaced from each other so as to rest on the top flanges of the side channels 3 and 4 of the tractor. Bolts 54 pass through the bottom member 41 at opposite sides of the tractor channels 3 and 4, and a clamping bar 55 underlying the side channels 3 and 4 directly below the support 46 is drawn up against the channels 3 and 4 by nuts on the ends of the bolts 54, whereby the entire structure, comprising the bottom member 41 and. the arms 44 and 45, is securely held in place on the tractor. The lift arms 42 and 43 are rotatably mounted between the upper ends of the upstanding channels 48 and 49 of the arms 44 and 45 by bolts 56, and each lift arm has a worm gear section 50 integrally formed therewith as best shown in Fig. 3. Worms 5! and 58 cooperating with the worm gear sections 50 are secured on shafts 59 and 60 which are journaled in cover plates 6| of the arms 44 and 45, the cover plates being retained on the channels 48 and 49 by bolts 63. Hand wheels 64 and 65 are secured to the inner ends of'the shafts 59 and 60, respectively, and brakes 66 and 61 for the hand wheels are mounted on the bottom member 41 of the support or bracket 46 by bolts 14.

In orderto hold the attachment frame I8, 2|, 22 and 24 against displacement transversely of the tractor, a link 68 is pivotally mounted at one end on the cross-bar 24 of the attachment frame and at the other end on a lug 69 which is welded to one end of the clam-ping bar 55. Balancing springs 70 are secured to the fuel tank support H which forms part of the tractor, clips 12 into which the upper ends of the balancing springs are hooked being bolted to the fuel tank support H as shown in Fig. 3. The lower ends of the balancing springs are secured to .the crossbar 24 of the attachment frame by means of U- bolts 13 and the springs exert an upward pull upon the rear end of the attachment frame so as toassist the operator of the machine in raising the attachment frame toan elevated position.

A grader blade extends transversely of the tractor in the space between the rear wheels 2 and front wheel I and'comprises a moldboard 18, a cutting edge and a reinforcing beam 79 for the moldboard, the reinforcing beam being formed of angle iron and extending longitudinally of the moldboard i8. Rigidly secured to the moldboard I8 at transversely spaced points thereof are mounting brackets 82 and 83, as best Shown in Fig. 3, and these'brackets are-connected with the arcs 25 and 26, respectively, by bolts 84 and 85, each bolt having a nut on top of the horizontal flange of the respective arc. In the full line position of the grader blade shown in Fig. 2, in which the grader blade extends at right angles to the direction of propulsion of the tractor or parallel to the axis of the rear wheels 2, the bolt 84 extends through the rearmost of a series of holes 86 in the are 25, and the bolt 85 extends through the rearmost of a series of holes Bl in the arc 26. The center of are 25 coincides with the center of the rearmost of the holes 81 in are 26 and the center of are 26 coincides with the rearmost of the holes 86 in arc 25. Both arcs are of equal radii, and it should be noted that a vertical plane through the centers of the arcs 25 and 26 extends transversely of the tractor and that the rear wheels 2 of the tractor are arranged at one side of said plane while the major portions of the arcs 25 and 26 are arranged at the other side of said plane. The rear ends of the arcs 25 and 26 are located in proximity to the tractor wheels 2 at opposite sides of the tractor, and accordingly the center of are 25 is located substantially opposite to the rear wheels 2 at the left side of the tractor while the center of are 26 is located substantially opposite to the rear wheel 2 at the right side of the tractor. The holes 86 are arranged on a circle about the rearmost of theholes 81, and

the holes 81 are arranged on a circle about the rearmost of the holes 86. The radius of the circle on which the holes 66 are arranged, and the radius of the circle on which the holes 81 are arranged, are each equal to the spacing of the rearmost hole in are 25 from the rearmost hole in the are 26. This construction permits adjustment of the grader blade into an acute angle position relative to the direction of propulsion of the tractor, as indicated by dash dotted lines in Fig. 2, for discharge of the scraped material to the right of the tractor, and it also permits adjustment of the scraper blade into an acute angle position for discharge of the scraped material to the left of the tractor. It it is desired to move the scraper blade from the full line position shown in Fig. 2, into an acute angle position for discharge of the scraped material to the right of the tractor, the nut on bolt 85 is removed and the bolt is withdrawn. A clip 89 secured to the bracket 83 and projecting over the horizontal flange of the are 26 retains the scraper blade on the are 26 when the bolt 65 is removed. The nut on bolt 84 is loosened and the blade may then conveniently be moved into any desired position in which the bracket 83 registers with one of the holes 8'!. The bolt 85 is then replaced, the nuts on the bolts 84 and 85 are tightened, and the grader is ready for work. Similarly, if it is desired to move the grader blade from its right angle position shown in full lines in Fig. 2, to an acute angle position for discharge of the scraped material to the left of the tractor, the bolt 85 is removed and the blade is swung about the bolt 85, the procedure being analogous to the one described in connection with an adjustment of the grader blade for dirt discharge to the right. When the bolt 84 is removed, a clip 88 corresponding to the clip 89 retains the scraper blade on the are 25. The clips 88 and 89 relieve the operator from the effort of holding the scraper blade up while turning it around one of the bolts 84 and 85, the clips being suitably arranged so as to slide freely on the arcs 25 and 26. If

desired, the scraper blade may be removed from the attachment frame, it being only necessary to remove both bolts 84 and 85, whereupon the blade may be moved to the rear until the clips 88 and 89 slide off of the arcs 25 and 26.

The term blade base denotes the distance between the point of ground contact of the front wheel I and a point on the cutting edge 86 directly behind it. A long blade base is desirable in order to retain sufficient weight on the front wheel I when downward pressure is applied upon the blade by manipulation of the hand wheels 64 and 65. The long blade base, afforded by positioning the blade as shown in full lines in Fig. 2, however, cannot be maintained when the blade is moved into an acute angle position either to the right or left, because of the close proximity of the blade to the rear wheels 2 of the tractor. By turning the blade about the bolt 84 or 85 the blade base becomes shorter and the blade does not move into contact with one or the other of the rear wheels of the tractor. This result is obtained by locating the centers of the arcs 25 and 26 in proximity to the rear wheels of the tractor, as has been explained hereinbefore, the transverse spacing of the rearmost hole 86 in are 25 from the rearmost hole 81 in are 26 being approximately equal to the transverse spacing of the rear wheels 2 of the, tractor.

An operators seat on the tractor is indicated at 15, and a steering wheel 16 which controls the front steering wheel I, a gear shift lever 11, and the other usual controls of the tractor, not shown, are arranged within convenient reach from the seat 15. It will be noted that the hand wheels 64' and 65 of the grader attachment are also within reach of an operator on the seat 15, so that he may make the necessary or desired vertical adjustments of the grader blade while the tractor is in motion. In order to lower the grader blade from an elevated position towards 1 the ground both hand wheels are turned in a forward direction, as is usual in road grading machines having a hand operated adjusting mechanism for the blade, and by proper manipulation of the hand wheels the grader blade may be set to the desired depth of cut, the brakes 66 and 61 preventing creep of the hand wheels 64 and 65 while the tractor is in motion. The transverse or horizontal spacing between the side bars 2| and 22 of the attachment frame is somewhat wider than the transverse or horizontal spacing between the outer longitudinal edges of the side beams 3 and l of the tractor, that is, the width of the tractor body, as shown in Fig. 2, and the attachment frame may therefore swivel about the horizontal axis of the eye bolt l2 of the mounting plate 5, and the bladelB may be adjusted by manipulation of the hand wheels 64 and 65, not only for a horizontal cut but also for a transversely inclined cut, that is, the hand wheels may be manipulated not only so as to raise and lower the blade parallel to the ground but also so as to tilt the blade transversely either to the right or left of the tractor. The link 68 between the rear cross-bar 24 of the attachment frame and the clamping bar 55 permits vertical and transverse tilting adjustments of the grader blade without substantial lateral displacement of the attachment frame relative to the tractor, this result being obtained by pivoting one end of the link on the extreme left end of the clamping bar 55 which projects beyond the side of the tractor body as shown in- Fig. 3, and by pivoting the right end of the link on the extreme right end of the crossbar 24, which arrangement affords a substantial length of the link 68.

Fig. 4 shows how the brackets 82 and 83 of the grader blade may be secured to the attachment frame in an inclined position so as to present the grader blade at a backward tilt. For this purpose one or more wedges 90 are interposed between the bracket 82 and the are 25, the wedges having holes for the reception of bolt 84, and the parts are secured together by tightening the nut on bolt 84. 'A tapered washer 99 under the nut of bolt 84 affords a proper seat forsaid nut. The bracket 83 at the other side is secured to the are 26 in a correspondingly inclined position as shown in Fig. 4 in connection with bracket 82, and the blade may be placed into any desired angular position relative to the direction of propulsion by changing the connection between one of the brackets and its respective arc from one hole to the other. The clips 88 and 89, if used in the construction shown in Fig. 4, would have to be such as to leave sufficient clearance for positioning the brackets 82 and 83 in the desired angular position. The blade may also be given a forward tilt by arranging the wedges 99 in reversed position so that their taper would extend rearwardly instead of forwardly as shown in Fig. 4.

Another construction for presenting the grader blade in a forwardly or rearwardly inclined position is shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The mechanism shown in the figures is duplicated for connecting the grader blade with the two arcs 25 and 26, and the following description of the connection with are 25 also applies to the connection with are 26. Pivotally secured to a U-shaped bracket 9| is a lug 93 which is rigidly secured to the reinforcing beam 19 of the grader blade. A link 96 pivoted on the moldboard 18 at 95 extends into the U-shaped bracket 9| and is secured to one leg thereof by a bolt 98. The link has a series of holes in it and by changing the bolt connection 98 from one of these holes to another the angular position of the blade relative to the bracket 9| may be changed. The bracket 9| is secured to the are 25 in the same manner as the bracket 82 debracket 9| on the arc when the bolt 84 is removed for purposes of adjustment.

It should be noted that the interior space of the attachment frame is free from any obstructions which would engage the lower portions of the motor crank case I90, clutch housing fill or transmission housing I02 when the frame is raised by manipulation of the hand wheels 64 and 65, and which engagement would prevent the frame from being raised to a substantial height. Upward movement of the frame is limited by engagement of the rear cross-bar 24 with the side channels 3 and 4 of the tractor, and when the frame is raised to that position the blade occupies a position substantially above the ground, which affords ample clearance for driving the machine from one working place to another.

It should be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact details of construction herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the claims may occur to persons skilled in the art.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a road working machine having a road working tool, a frame including a first and a second arcuate support, a pair of bracket elements associated with said tool at a fixed distance from each other for connecting said tool to said arcuate supports, connecting means pivoted on one of said bracket elements and adjustable along said first arcuate support on a circle about a center on said second arcuate support, and connecting means pivoted on the other of said bracket elements and adjustable along said second arcuate support on a circle about a center on said first arcuate support, each of said circles having a radius equal to the distance between the pivot centers of said connecting means on said bracket elements.

2. In a road working machine having a road working tool, a frame including a first and a second arcuate support, a pair of bracket elements associated with said tool at a fixed distance from each other, connecting means detachably pivoted on one of said bracket elements and adjustable along said first arcuate support on a circle about a center on said second arcuate support, connecting means pivoted on the other of said bracket elements and adjustable along said second arcuate support on a circle about a center on said first arcuate support, each of said circles having a radius equal to the distance between the pivot centers of said connecting means on said bracket elements, and means cooperating with said bracket elements and arcuate supports for slidably retaining said bracket elements on said arcuate supports independently of said first and second mentioned connecting means.

3. In a road grader, a blade structure and draft means therefor comprising, a first and a second ring section, means securing said ring. sections in relatively fixed positions so as to space their centers from each other, and adjustable connections between said draft means and said blade structure comprising first connecting means on said blade structure selectively connectable with said draft means at the center of said second ring section and with portions of said first ring section equidistant from the center thereof; and second connecting means on said blade structure selectively connectable with said draft means at the center of said first ring section and with portions of said second ring section equidistant from the center thereof.

4. In a grader attachment for tractors, a blade structure and draft means therefor comprising, a first and a second ring section of equal radii, means securing said ring sections in such positions relative to each other that the center of said first ring section coincides with a point on said second ring section and that the center of said second ring section coincides with a point on said first ring section, and adjustable connecting means between said blade structure and said ring sections including a first pivot element on said blade structure selectively connectable with said first ring section to a position of coincidence with the center of said second ring section and to another position on an arc struck about the center of said first ring section through the center of said second ring section; and a second pivot element on said blade structure selectively connectable with said second ring section to a position of coincidence with the center of said first ring section and to another position on an arc struck about the center of said second ring :ection through the center of said first ring sec- 5. In a road working machine having a frame and supporting means therefor including a first and a second ground wheel axially spaced from each other at one side of a vertical plane extending transversely of said frame, a road working tool, and draft means connecting said tool with said frame; said draft means including a first and a second ring section at the other side of said plane, said first ring section having a center in said plane substantially opposite to said first wheel and an end portion in proximity to said second wheel, and said second ring section having a center in said plane substantially opposite to said second wheel and an end portion in proximity to said first wheel; first connecting means on said tool selectively connectable with said draft means at said center of said second ring section and with portions of said first ring section equidistant from the center thereof; and second connecting means on said tool selectively connectable with said draft means at the center of said first ring section and with portions of said second ring section equidistant from the center thereof.

6. The combination with a tractor having a body supported on steerable front supporting means and on right and left rear wheels, of an attachment frame having a transverse portion in advance of said tractor body and right and left side members merging with said transverse portion laterally of said tractor body and extending, respectively, rearwardly along the right and left sides thereof, connecting means between said attachment frame and said tractor body permitting universal swinging movements of said attachment frame about a fixed center at the forward end of said tractor body and retaining said attachment frame in substantially fixed relation to said tractor body transversely thereof, a road working tool underlying said tractor body intermediate said front supporting means and rear wheels, a first connecting element on said tool connectable with said right side member at a point thereof adjacent to and in advance of said right rear wheel, and a second connecting element on said tool connectable with said left side member at a. point thereof adjacent to and in advance of said left rear Wheel, said first connecting element being selectively connectalble with portions of said right side member equidistant from said point on said left side member, and said second connecting element being selectively connectable with portions of said left side member equidistant from said point on said right side member.

7. In a road working machine, a vehicle frame sup-ported on front and rear wheels; a rigid subframe embracing a forward portion of said vehicle frame and having relatively spaced side members extending longitudinally of said vehicle frame at opposite sides of the latter, and movable vertically into overlapping relation to said vehicle frame, front supporting means for said subframe mounted on said forward portion of said vehicle frame and permitting vertical swinging and transverse tilting of said subframe relative to said vehicle frame, rear supporting means for said subframe mounted on said vehicle frame and including mechanism operable to adjust said swbframe by transverse tilting and vertical swinging movements thereof relative to said vehicle frame; means connecting said, subframe with said vehicle frame for retaining said sub-frame, in any adjusted position thereof, against lateral displacement relative to said vehicle frame; a road working tool underlying said vehicle frame between said front and rear wheels; and means cooperating with said road working tool and with said subframe, at opposite sides of said vehicle frame and outside of the space between said side members of said subframe, to connect said road working tool with said subframe for horizontal angular adjustment relative thereto.

8. The combination with a tractor having a pair of longitudinally extending and horizontally spaced side beams, and relatively spaced front and rear ground engaging supports; of a rigid attachment frame having side members at opposite sides of said tractor spaced horizontally from each other a fixed distance greater than the distance between the outer longitudinal edges of said side beams; front and rear supporting means for said attachment frame mounted on said tractor and including mechanism operable to adjust said attachment frame by transverse tilting and vertical swinging movements thereof relative to said tractor; means connecting said attachment frame with said tractor for retaining said attachment frame, in any adjusted position thereof, against lateral displacement relative to said tractor; a ground working tool underlying said tractor between said front and rear ground engaging supports; pivot means cooperating with said ground working tool and with said attachment frame to secure said tool to said attachment frame for movement relative thereto about a vertical axis spaced from said tractor at. one side thereof, and means mounted on said ground working tool at a distance from the axis of said pivot means greater than said distance between the outer longitudinal edges of said side beams of said tractor, for securing said ground working tool to said attachment frame at the other side of said tractor, said last named means being circularly adjustable on said attachment frame about the axis of said pivot means.

CHESTER P. LELI'IER. 

